Seven state tourney entrants is most ever for USC wrestling team

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, February 25, 2003

WELLS &045; In 1991, when the school was in its first year of existence, the United South Central wrestling team set a standard that has stood the test of time.

Until now.

The Rebels are sending seven wrestlers to the state tournament, one more than the previous school-record six that advanced 12 years ago.

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Though he was injured and did not compete in the postseason, USC coach Eric Wegner was a member of the 1990-91 squad, and he said it’s an honor to break the record and a tribute to the wrestlers and their families.

&uot;It’s a nice accomplishment,&uot; said Wegner. &uot;We have an excellent group of kids, and parents as well. Their hard work and dedication, and the support of their folks, is the reason we did what we did.&uot;

At least a couple Rebels are looking to do a lot more.

Senior John Niebuhr, a state tournament veteran, is 37-1 and rated second in the state at his weight. He won the Section 3A title.

Another senior, Steven Wood, is rated No. 5 at 189. He ran his record to 35-1 while winning the section crown.

The Rebels’ other section champ is a sophomore, Kenny Sandt, who’s 30-9 at 119.

USC’s other state qualifiers, with weight and record: 8th-grader Brian Wood, 103, 21-10; junior Chance Carlson, 135, 29-6; senior Chris Adams, 140, 29-6; senior Matt Linder, 215, 33-6.

Junior Josh Levine missed state by one place, taking third at 130. He finished 30-14.

The Rebels wrestle in the opening round Thursday at 12:30 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, with the quarterfinals at 2:45. The wrestlebacks are Friday at 9:45 a.m. and the championship finals are Friday at 6:45 p.m. Saturday’s championship round starts at 1 p.m. for all three classes.